MPs are not above the law; Your Say.

ON behalf of all serving police officers who are often unable to defend their actions, I would like to respond to Bert Ward's letter The Price We Pay For Preserving Democracy (08.06.09).

The police are not in any way, as he states, the servants of Parliament.

Section 29 of the Police Act 1996 compels every new member of a police force to attest by making the following declaration: "I do solemnly and sincerely declare and affirm that I will well and truly serve the Queen in the office of constable, with fairness, integrity, diligence and impartiality, upholding fundamental human rights and according equal respect to all people; and that I will, to the best of my power, cause the peace to be kept and preserved and prevent all offences against people and property; and that while I continue to hold the said office I will, to the best of my skill and knowledge, discharge all the duties thereof faithfully according to law." Ther duty of a police officer is to serve Her Majesty the Queen and to have no political favour of any kind. This includes investigating suspected offences, and when necessary bringing before Her Majesty's courts of law any person suspected of breaking the law.

This includes MPs and, should evidence of a suspected offence be apparent, so be it. They are most definitely not above the law, Mr Ward.

D SADLER, Retired police officer